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‘Taib must answer for sins of corruption’

March 1, 2014

it is bewildering for the MACC to claim that there is no evidence of corruption and abuse of power by the former Sarawak CM, says C4 director Cynthia Gabriel.

PETALING JAYA: Former Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud should be cleared of his sins of corruption by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) before being appointed as Sarawak’s Governor.

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) director Cynthia Gabriel quoted several ‘sordid tales of corruption’ such as the Japan transport scandal in 2007 and the Gunung Munung Park scandal.

“It is with grave concern and disappointment that his (Taib Mahmud) ascent as the next Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak or Governor of the State is going to be a reality.

“(And) true to his leadership style, a defender of absolute cronyism and nepotism, he has passed on the reins to his former brother-in-law, Adenan Satem,” she said in a statement today.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor pointed out how Sarawak has been robbed of its wealth and natural resources by its own Chief Minister and his family members.

“Taib Mahmud is so powerful that he has never been charged for any offence,” said Gabriel, adding that it is bewildering for MACC to claim that there is no evidence of corruption and abuse of power.

“This is not an acceptable excuse for a person who has plundered and destroyed the state’s wealth for his own benefit,” she said.

Meanwhile, allegations of nepotism by Taib include his son Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib’s appointment as the Cahya Mata Sawarawk Berhad (CMSB) group executive director and Taib’s brother Mohd Tufail Mahmud, the co-owner of Sanyan Group, one of Sarawak’s biggest timber companies.

“Together with its flagship company, CMSB and an extensive network of businesses around the world, Taib has managed to divert funds needed for the development of the state to his personal or nominees’ accounts through illegal land sales and abuse of power,” claimed Gabriel.

‘Appointment as Governor questionable’

A study by the Bruno Manser Fund (BMF) estimated Taib to be worth US$15 billion (RM46 billion) while 20 of his family members are worth a collective US$21 billion (RM64 billion).

Gabriel added that Taib’s arrogance and the inaction of government institutions to act on him has further strengthened the perception that he is above the law.

She said the legality of his appointment as Governor was also questionable as it is against the Sarawak constitution.

Article two of the Sarawak constitution states that the State Governor “shall not hold any office of profit and shall not actively engage in any commercial enterprise.”

“Taib Mahmud has been listed as a director in numerous companies and holds significant positions in those companies either directly or via nominees.

“Appointment of a person perceived to be highly corrupted to a position of importance sends a wrong message to the people as well as paints a negative perception of our institutions,” said Gabriel.

“C4 demands that Taib Mahmud be prosecuted for crimes of corruption and abuse of power. All monies held in offshore accounts by him or his family members must be frozen and in due process returned to the people of Sarawak,” she said.